Five Greater Western Victoria Rebels have been selected in the 2020 AFL women's academy squads. Maggie Caris, Isabella Simmons and Renee Saulitis are in the level two squad, and Nyakoat Dojiok and Ella Friend in level one. Level one features 17 players 16 years of age and level two includes 35 the best 17-year-olds across the country who will be eligible for next year's AFL women's draft. The five are from across region - Caris (Horsham Saints), Simmons (Ararat), Saulitis (South Warrnambool), Dojiok (Lake Wendouree) and Ella Friend (Horsham). Saulitis, Dojiok, Caris and Friend are not only Rebels teammates. They are also schoolmates at Ballarat Grammar School. Caris and Saulitis are in Year 11 and Dojiok and Friend in Year 10. All four girls were major contributors to Ballarat Grammar's success in the Herald Sun Shield this year as premiership players. As academy members the Rebels will have access to training sessions with AFLW clubs in December and January; high performance training camps in January, April and August; athlete management systems; and expert coaches, sports science and sports medicine staff. AFL national female talent manager Sophia Samartzis said the fourth intake was the biggest squad to date. "With the introduction of four new AFLW teams in 2020 the demand for young talent is higher than ever," she said. "I look forward to the development of the players over the next 12 months as they strive for the dream of playing in the AFLW."

All four girls were major contributors to Ballarat Grammar's success in the Herald Sun Shield this year as premiership players.

As academy members the Rebels will have access to training sessions with AFLW clubs in December and January; high performance training camps in January, April and August; athlete management systems; and expert coaches, sports science and sports medicine staff.

AFL national female talent manager Sophia Samartzis said the fourth intake was the biggest squad to date.

"With the introduction of four new AFLW teams in 2020 the demand for young talent is higher than ever," she said. "I look forward to the development of the players over the next 12 months as they strive for the dream of playing in the AFLW."